Hand Positioning Strap System for Athletic Training

ABSTRACT

A first, fix length, strap, a second strap made from an elastic material, and the two end loops and hook and loop fastener for attaching them around the wrist of a wearer. Constructed from a single, inelastic strap, where on each opposing end a second partial strap length is sewn to provide a split end of two equal lengths. On each end of the split ends, a hook and fastener material is attached to allow the split ends to be removable attached to form a loop, which can then be worn around a wearer&#39;s wrist. A second strap attached to the device made from an elastic or stretchable material and shorter in length that the first, inelastic strap. In a stretched position the elastic second strap is stretched and creates a tension force to pull the extended first strap back to a shortened position.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to sports equipment. Morespecifically, the present invention relates a device for maintaining thewrists and arms in a desired position during sports training.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many devices for assisting athletes maintain a desired form with respectto hand, arm, elbow, foot, knee, ankle, and legs are well known. Manydevices have been developed to assist athletes in perfecting variousbalances by arm/wrist and leg/foot spacing during an athletic motion ormovement.

However, there are no known devices for perfecting arm and wristposition when it comes to gymnastics training, which requires thegymnast/athlete to engage in the different movements and series ofmovements required of the sport, which are unique to gymnasticstraining.

Therefore, what is needed is a device that assists a gymnast in keepingtheir arms and wrists together or in a desired position, which alsoallows them a free range of motion when desired to complete othermovements or to engage in a series of movements as part of a full orpartial routine during practice, without a need to continually attachedand remove the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an adjustable hook and loop strap system forathletic training. The device is comprised of a strap, and a pair ofloops located on opposing ends of the strap, one for each opposingappendage, where they can be readily secured by wrapping them around andtightening them to the arms or wrists of a wearer, using hook and loopfastener material.

The system of components can be used in multiple different ways fortraining acrobatic, gymnastics, dance, and cheerleading skills.

The adjustable straps are further defined by a second strap which can beused to provide a tension, elastic, or stretching force to allowmovement of the wrists, instead of a single inelastic strap which wouldprovide a fixed range of motion and not allow for some movement of thewrists.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein a form a partof the specification, illustrate the present invention and, togetherwith the description, further serve to explain the principles of theinvention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to makeand use the invention.

FIG. 1 is a picture of one known prior art device, which has severalshortcomings in comparison to the present invention.

FIGS. 2-4 are pictures of the adjustable straps illustrating the first,fix length, strap, a second strap made from an elastic material, and thetwo end loops and hook with loop fastener for attaching them around thewrist or arm of a wearer.

FIGS. 5-11 are pictures of an alternative embodiment where additionalelastic loops are added to allow the wrist to be placed inside them aswell, where the elastic over the wrist area allows for a semi-fixed wayif desired.

FIGS. 12-16 are pictures that illustrate the present invention beingworn by a user in increasing stages of expansion/stretch until the hookand loop fastener around one of the wrists is forced apart and one wristfreed from the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention of exemplaryembodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanyingdrawings (where like numbers represent like elements), which form a parthereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplaryembodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodimentsare described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art topractice the invention, but other embodiments may be utilized andlogical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. The followingdetailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense,and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appendedclaims.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it isunderstood that the invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques knownto one of ordinary skill in the art have not been shown in detail inorder not to obscure the invention. Referring to the figures, it ispossible to see the various major elements constituting the apparatus ofthe present invention.

Now referring to Figures, the various embodiments of a hand positioningstrap system for athletic training are shown. In a first embodimentillustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the hand positioning strap system for athletictraining device is comprised of a first, fix length, inelastic strap101, and a second, elastic strap 102 made from an elastic material. Thefirst, fix length, inelastic strap 101 is defined by a center section120 and two opposing ends sections 121 and 122 that are used tocreate/form two expansion sections 123 and 124, and two ends loops 103and 104 with hook and loop fasteners 105 and 106 for attaching each ofthe two end loops 103 and 104 that fit around the wrist or arm of awearer as shown in FIGS. 2-4.

In this embodiment, the second, elastic strap 102 is affixed to thefirst, fix length, inelastic strap 101 by sewing at three locations. Thefirst locations the two straps are sewn together at the center of eachstraps length 120. Then, each opposing end 121 and 122 of the second,elastic strap 102 is sewn to the first, fix length, inelastic strap 101so that the first, fix length, inelastic strap is longer than thesecond, elastic strap 102 such that when the second, elastic strap 102is stretched to is maximum, the second, elastic strap 102 is as long asthe first, fix length, inelastic strap 101.

The hand positioning strap system for athletic training is ideallyconstructed from a single, fixed length, inelastic strap 101, where oneach of the opposing end sections 116 and 117, defined as the ends ofthe single, fixed length, inelastic strap 101 that extend in oppositedirections from the center attachment point 120 of the second strap 102to the single, fixed length, inelastic strap 101, and a second partialstrap length made from the same material as the single, fixed length,inelastic strap 101 is sewn to the opposing ends 116 and 117 of thesingle, fixed length, inelastic strap 101, creating a split end of twoequal lengths on each opposing end of the single, fixed length,inelastic strap 101.

On each end of the split ends 107 and 108 and partial ends 116 and 117,a hook and fastener material is attached to allow the split ends 107 and108 and partial ends 116 and 117 to be removable attached to form a loopon each end 103 and 104, which can then be worn around a wearer's wrist,arm, or leg and ankle.

In an alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 5-11, the secondstrap 113 is increased in length and now not only defines a singlecenter area for extension 125, but extends to match the end of thesingle, fixed length, inelastic strap 101. FIGS. 5-11 are pictures of analternative embodiment where the shorter second strap 112 now extends tothe ends of the single, fixed length, inelastic strap 101, resulting inthe creation of a single center area for extension 125 and a pair ofelastic loops 114 and 115 to allow the wrist to be placed inside them asin the first embodiment but where the elastic second strap 113 extendingover the wrist area, when connected to the partial straps of the splitends 107 and 108 via the hook and loop fasteners 105 and 106 creates andallows for a semi-fixed way of creating wrist loops.

In this embodiment, the second strap 113 is still made from an elasticor stretchable material and shorter in length that of the first,inelastic strap 101. The second strap 113 is attached to the first strap101 in a manner that provides for the shortening of the first strap 101while the second elastic strap 113 is in a resting or un-stretchedposition, but in a stretched position, where the first strap 101 isextended to its maximum extended position, the elastic second strap 113is stretched and creates a tension force to pull the extended firststrap 101 back to a shortened position.

This attachment is generally down by the straps being sewn 121 and 122an equal distance from their centers, toward each opposing end whereeach opposing end 121 and 122 of the second, elastic strap 102 is sewnto the first, fix length, inelastic strap 101 so that the first, fixlength, inelastic strap is longer than the second, elastic strap 102such that when the second, elastic strap 102 is stretched to is maximum,the second, elastic strap 102 is as long as the first, fix length,inelastic strap 101.

The hook and loop fasteners 105 and 106 are used at the ends of thestraps 116 and 117 and on the split ends 109 and 110 and 111 and 112 toforma loop on each end 103 and 104, which can then be worn around awearer's wrist, arm, or leg and ankle. This embodiment provides a wearerwith a secure connection to the hand positioning strap system forathletic training 100, while also providing a break point where thesecuring loops can be broken and the arm and wrist freed, if asufficient force is applied to overcome the hook and loop fasteners 105and 106. This is especially important for new users of the device orthose just learning certain routines or movements as it is not uncommonfor an athlete in practice or learning new motions or routines to makemistakes or lose balance and require the use of their arms and hands toavoid injury or falls.

A device that provides unbreakable loops of fixed material loops that donot allow a wearer to break free or extend their arms beyond therestricted range of motion can lead to injury. The only known similarprior art device 100 fails in this respect as it is constructed using afix loop that can be adjust for tension around the wrist by sliding thecenter section through a loop end as shown in FIG. 1, but does not allowfor a break free of the wrists from the loops, but keep them restrained.Once placed on a wearer's arms or wrist, this is extremely dangerous asthe wearer can not break free in order to avoid a fall or injury.

Additionally, the prior art also fails to teach a device that allows forsome limited range of motion. The prior art device teaches a double loopended device made from an inelastic material. This does not allow anyfeedback to be provided to a wearing during use.

During a typical gymnastic routing, it is desired for the gymnast tokeep their arms and wrists together and/or at a certain distance fromthe body. The device of the present invention allows a coach to adjustthe amount of tension, to help train a gymnast to keep their arms andwrists together.

The present invention, through its use of an elastic second strap inboth disclosed embodiments provides a wearer with immediate and instantfeedback when the arms or wrist begin to separate and are subjected tothe elastic strap forces pulling them back to the proper position, andthen providing a fixed range of motion feeling if/when the arms or wristreach a maximum range of motion. If the maximum range of motion isreached, the present invention then also provides a “break free” safetyfeature, which allows a wearer to break the hook and loop fasteningsystem of the loops securing the arm or wrist if/as needed by the wearerto use the arms, wrist, and hands to prevent injury if falling orloosing balance.

FIGS. 12-16 are pictures that illustrate the present invention beingworn by a user in increasing stages of expansion/stretch until the hookand loop fastener around one of the wrists is forced apart and one wristfreed from the device.

In an alternative embodiment, additional elastic loops 109 and 110 canbe added to the present invention for wrists or arms to be placed in.

In yet another alternative embodiment, a soft padding on the inside ofloops where the user/wearer's wrists go can be incorporated for addedcomfort.

The system of components can be used in multiple different ways fortraining acrobatic, gymnastics, dance, and cheerleading skills.

Thus, it is appreciated that the optimum dimensional relationships forthe parts of the invention, to include variation in size, materials,shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, aredeemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art,and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawingsand described in the above description are intended to be encompassed bythe present invention.

Furthermore, other areas of art may benefit from this method andadjustments to the design are anticipated. Thus, the scope of theinvention should be determined by the appended claims and their legalequivalents, rather than by the examples given.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A hand positioning strapdevice for athletic training comprising: a first, fix length, inelasticstrap; a second strap made from an elastic material; the second, elasticstrap is affixed to the first, fix length, inelastic strap by sewing atthree locations; the first location, the two straps are sewn together atthe center of each straps length; the other locations, the straps aresewn together at each opposing end of the second, elastic strap, thesecond elastic strap is sewn to the first, fix length, inelastic strapso that the first, fix length, inelastic strap is longer than thesecond, elastic strap such that when the second, elastic strap isstretched to is maximum, the second, elastic strap is as long as thefirst, fix length, inelastic strap; the first, fix length, strap extendsto form two end loops with hook and loop fasteners for attaching each ofthe two end loops around the wrist or arm of a wearer; a second partialstrap length made from the same material as the single, inelastic strapis sewn to the opposing ends of the single, inelastic strap, creating asplit end of two equal lengths; and each of the partial strap end pairshaving corresponding hook and loop fasteners for attaching them aroundthe wrist or arm of a wearer.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein thesecond strap is sewn to the strap on opposing ends and in the middle,providing for two expansions areas were the first inelastic strap islonger than the second elastic strap.
 3. The device of claim 3, whereinthe second strap is made from an elastic or stretchable material andshorter in length than the first, inelastic strap.
 4. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the second strap is attached to the first strap in amanner that provides for the shortening of the strap while the secondelastic strap is in a resting or un-stretched position, but in astretched position, where the first strap is extended to its maximumextended position, the elastic second strap is stretched and creates atension force to pull the extended first strap back to a shortenedposition.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the hook and loop fastenersused at the ends of the straps on the split ends provides a wearer witha secure connection to the elastic device, while also providing a breakpoint where the securing loops can be broken and the arm and wristfreed, if a sufficient force is applied to overcome the hook and loopfastener. In an alternative embodiment, additional elastic loops 109 and110 can be added to the present invention for wrists or arms to beplaced in. In yet another alternative embodiment, a soft padding on theinside of loops where the user/wearer's wrists go can be incorporatedfor added comfort.
 6. The device of claim 1, further comprisingadditional elastic loops for wrists or arms to be placed in.
 7. Thedevice of claim 1, further comprising a soft padding on the inside ofloops.
 8. A hand positioning strap device for athletic trainingcomprising: a first, fix length, inelastic strap; a second strap madefrom an elastic material; the second strap is sewn to the strap onopposing ends, providing for a single expansion areas were the firststrap is longer than the second strap; the straps are sewn an equaldistance from their centers, toward each opposing end where eachopposing end of the second, elastic strap is sewn to the first, fixlength, in elastic strap so that the first, fix length, inelastic strapis longer than the second, elastic strap such that when the second,elastic strap is stretched to is maximum, the second, elastic strap isas long as the first, fix length, inelastic strap; the first, fixlength, strap extends to form two end loops with hook and loop fastenersfor attaching each of the two end loops around the wrist or arm of awearer; the second strap, extending to the opposing ends of the first,fix length, inelastic strap from sewing attachment point, providing fora expansion areas were the first strap is longer than the second strapwhen the two ends loops around the wrist or arm of a wearer; a secondpartial strap length made from the same material as the single,inelastic strap is sewn to the opposing ends of the single, inelasticstrap, creating a split end of two equal lengths; and each of thepartial strap end pairs having corresponding hook and loop fasteners forattaching them around the wrist or arm of a wearer.
 9. The device ofclaim 8, wherein the second strap is sewn to the strap, providing forone central expansion area were the first inelastic strap is longer thanthe second elastic strap.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein the secondstrap is made from an elastic or stretchable material and shorter inlength than the first, inelastic strap.
 11. The device of claim 8,wherein the second strap is attached to the first strap in a manner thatprovides for the shortening of the strap while the second elastic strapis in a resting or un-stretched position, but in a stretched position,where the first strap is extended to its maximum extended position, theelastic second strap is stretched and creates a tension force to pullthe extended first strap back to a shortened position.
 12. The device ofclaim 8, wherein the hook and loop fasteners used at the ends of thestraps on the split ends provides a wearer with a secure connection tothe elastic device, while also providing a break point where thesecuring loops can be broken and the arm and wrist freed, if asufficient force is applied to overcome the hook and loop fastener. 13.The device of claim 8, wherein for each of the two end loops around thewrist or arm of a wearer, the second strap is attached to the firststrap in a manner that provides for the shortening of the strap whilethe second elastic strap is in a resting or un-stretched position, butin a stretched position, where the first strap is extended to itsmaximum extended position, the elastic second strap is stretched andcreates a tension force to pull the extended first strap back to ashortened position.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein for each of thetwo end loops around the wrist or arm of a wearer, the second elasticstrap provides a break point where the securing loops can be broken andthe arm and wrist freed, if a sufficient force is applied to overcomethe hook and loop fastener when the extended first strap of the wristloop is stretched to its limit.
 15. The device of claim 8, furthercomprising additional elastic loops for wrists or arms to be placed in.16. The device of claim 8, further comprising a soft padding on theinside of loops.